Chapter 11 — The day he established me, I did not make a fuss, 17 days later, he searched the world looking for me

Then she slowly, slowly turned her head back. Not a single word... not said. It was a wordless rejection. But it is the most radical rejection. Ta Than's hand was holding the bowl of medicine, frozen in mid-air.

“Van Van, listen.”

He pleaded.

“Don't torment me anymore... don't torment yourself either.”

Du Van's eyelashes trembled slightly. Then she closed her eyes. Separate him... from the whole world... from the outside. The tight rope in Ta Than's heart... finally broke. A fierce stream of anger rushed straight to the top of his head. He threw down the bowl of medicine, grabbed her chin with one hand, and forcibly turned her face. He growled low.

“Does she have to be like that?”

"You think you're dead, will I forgive that guy Tham Thanh Chau?"

“I tell you—if you die, I will let him, let the whole Hanh Hoa village… bury with you!”

He thought that such threats... would make her afraid, would make her submit. But he is wrong. Du Van slowly, slowly opened her eyes. She looked at him. In those eyes as quiet as ashes... for the first time, a ripple appeared. But that's not fear. It's... pity. It's like looking at a pitiful person who cannot be saved. The corners of his lips curled up in a weak, sarcastic curve. Her voice was as light as a feather.

“You are so pitiful.”

Having finished speaking, she closed her eyes again. It seemed... looking at him one more time... also made her tired. Ta Than's body... completely stiffened. Poor. She said he was... pitiful. He has all four seas. Sitting in the world. But he can't keep a woman's heart. Even... even letting her live... he couldn't do it. So what else does he have... that isn't pitiful? He slowly, slowly let go. He looked at her pale, thin face. Look at the red mark on her chin, squeezed out by his own hand. A huge feeling of helplessness… engulfed him. Medicine... couldn't save her. Because… her heart… is dead. It was him... who killed him himself. Time... just passed like that, day by day, in bowls of hopeless medicine and deathly silence. Ta Than is not going anywhere. He threw away all the medals brought from the capital. Throw the entire country and society of Dai Ha... behind your head. He only stayed in this restaurant in Suzhou. Guarding someone... but he can't keep them no matter what. Suzhou... fell the first snow of this winter. The snow was as big as goose feathers, flying everywhere in the sky. In just a moment... it dyed the entire Jiangnan region into a cold, white color. Du Van's illness is sometimes good and sometimes bad. But in the end, there are still more bad times and less good times. The time she was awake was getting shorter and shorter. Most of the time, they are in a coma. It's like I just want to sleep to escape this painful world. Ta Than walked haggardly at a speed visible to the naked eye. He no longer cares about his appearance. The magnificent dragon robe was thrown aside by him. All day he only wears an old brocade robe, and under his chin is full of green stubble. He had lost a lot of weight, his eye sockets were sunken, and the red blood in his eyes had never disappeared. He looked... more like a ghost than the patient lying on the bed. One afternoon that day. The snow has stopped falling. Sunlight penetrates through the window bars and shines into the room. Showing the whole room silence... there's nowhere left to hide. Ta Than sat on the footstool next to the bed, watching Du Van's side, not knowing when... he fell asleep. He's too tired. Over the past few days, he has almost never slept. In the dream, complete chaos. Sometimes it was during the grand ceremony, her eyes were dumbfounded. Sometimes it was in Hanh Hoa village, her back was resolutely protecting other men. He suddenly woke up. The whole body broke out in a cold sweat. He instinctively raised his head and looked towards the bed. The bed... is empty. Ta Than's heart instantly... stopped beating. He jumped up. Eyes roamed in all directions. Then he saw it. By the window, stood a thin figure. She wore a snow-white robe, bare feet, and stood quietly in front of the window. Looking outside, there was a vast piece of white snow. Ta Than almost thought he was hallucinating. He rubbed his eyes. That back shadow... is still there. Not a dream. A wave of crazy joy instantly swept over him. She can get out of bed now. Is she... about to recover? He didn't dare make a sound, afraid of disturbing this rare moment. He gently used his hands and feet to take down a thick sheep pond from the coat rack. Step by step, slowly walking towards her. He tried calling, his voice very soft.

“It's cold outside, be careful of cold.”

He gently placed the shirt on her slender shoulders. She did not resist. Don't even turn around. Just kept looking out the window, speaking softly, as if muttering to himself.

“It snowed really hard.”

Her voice was very light, a little hoarse from illness. But for the first time these days, she proactively opened her mouth to speak.